ROUND 8 PREVIEW
Round 7 is shaping to be a big weekend of footy!! See the round 8 preview below!!
Round 8 Fixtures
SENIOR’S
Narooma v Bermagui (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 2:30pm
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 11:50am
Narooma v BM Giants (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 11:50am
WOMEN’S
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
Bermagui v Bega (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 11:50am
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 1:10pm
Narooma v BM Giants (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 1:10pm
Round 8 Preview
Eden v Merimbula
The Whalers will be confident of claiming win number 1 this weekend as they take on the Diggers at home this weekend. With plenty of rest, the young Whalers side will be looking to run and use home ground advantage. On the other side a Diggers win will help the club stay in contention of a top 4 birth after falling 8 points behind Bermagui. Both teams have been unable to put 4 quarters together in season 2017 and if one can go close the 4 points will be theirs.
Player to Watch: Nathan Sebire, The Whalers youngster has been one of Eden’s shining lights in 2017 with the young midfielder claiming plenty of ball in the midfield for the Whalers. Prediction: Merimbula by 35 Points.
Pambula v Tathra
A clearance has come across the leagues desk this week for Mitchell May to return to the Tathra FC. If this is true this is a big in for the Sea Eagles and huge in if it is for the remainder of the season. Last time May was in the league he kicked 140 goals. This is a big game with both Pambula and Tathra keen to claim a top two spot. The Panthers depth in 2017 is strong and could get deeper with the reported return of Adam Nelson. This will be huge in the make up of the finals. Player to Watch: Justin Dickson, Has been an important recruit for the Panthers, with Dickson playing superbly off half back to create a dynamic duo with fellow recruit Charlie Shepherd to set up the play. Prediction: Pambula by 8 Points.
Narooma v Bermagui
The Northern rivalry ignites for round 2 this weekend with the Lions to host the Breakers. The last time these two met, it was a close contest for 3 quarters although the Lions got off to a fast start in the first term. Both sides are coming off solid performances and the Breakers will be looking to claim a top three scalp this weekend. The Lions are looking to maintain their top two ladder position as they search for the win on home soil.
Player to Watch: Jeremy Sly, The Lion youngster is still only 16 years of age although is playing a huge role for the Lions in recent weeks with the youngster consistently among Narooma’s best with the lively winger/forward setting up play. Prediction: Narooma by 23 Points.
Women’s
Some big games in the women’s grade this weekend with the fixture between the Panthers and Sea Eagles the pick of the bunch. Both teams have been in good form this season and Tathra youngster Tarni Evans will be looking to lead her team to victory off the back of her selection in the NSW school girls team. The rivalry between the Lions an giants is heating up and with Narooma boasting two former Giants players this one could have a little spice. The Giants young players wont want to be physically intimidated by the Lions who play a tough brand of football. The Bombers are still in search of their first win although last time the Bombers took on the Breakers it wasn’t a great outcome with Bermagui easy winners. The Breakers will be hoping for more of the same with the likes of Poppy Logue and grace Gowing playing key roles in recent weeks. In the final game, Eden host Merimbula with the Whalers the best team to date in 2017. The Diggers face a tough ask against Eden and their inexperience may show this weekend as the Whalers will be hoping for a comfortable win.
Player to Watch: Kiarna Woolley-Blain, The Digger has been one of Merimbula’s best in 2017 kicking 5 goals and being in the best on 4 occasions out of 5. Prediction: Bermagui, Narooma, Tathra & Eden.
Development
There is a clear top 3 in the development grade with two of the top three to go head to head with the Panthers hosting the Sea Eagles. This one is set to be a great match with both teams playing some good football in 2017. Being at home the Panthers will be favourites. In Narooma the Lions host the Giants. Narooma were victorious the last time these two met although the Giants have improved.
Prediction: Pambula & Narooma.
Round 8 Fixture
UNDER 16’s
Narooma v BM Giants (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 10:30am
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 9:10am
UNDER 13’s
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 11:50am
Bermagui v Bega (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 10:30am
Narooma v BM Giants (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 9:10am
UNDER 11’s
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 10:30am
Bermagui v Bega (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 9:10am
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 10:30am
Narooma v BM Giants (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 8:00am
Round 8 Preview
Under 16’s
A couple of big matches this weekend with Pambula hosting Merimbula the match of the weekend in all grades. The Panthers are undefeated in 2017 although the Diggers are reigning premiers and set to make amends from their loss earlier in the season. Although the panthers claimed round 1 honours the match was competitive throughout although Pambula claimed the upper hand in the second and fourth. Merimbula’s defence will need to be sharp to contain the Panthers formidable forward line. In Narooma the Lions host the Giants and will be hopeful of having Kaleb Moritz and Connor Breust at their disposal to claim the 4 points against the Giants. The Giants have been strong against the bottom two teams in 2017 and should continue that form this weekend against Narooma.
Player to Watch: Caleb Higgins, Higgins has been selected in the NSW school boys team and the Merimbula midfielder will be key in this weekend’s matchup. Prediction: Pambula & Broulee/Moruya.
Under 13’s
Match of the round this weekend in the 13’s will see Narooma host the Giants. This shapes up to be an important match in the run towards the finals with both teams battling for fourth place. Both teams sit on 8 points with this weekends winner set to gain a huge boost. Look for a tight contest to go the four quarters. The Whalers are winless in 2017 and face a tough test this weekend against Merimbula who took points off Bermagui who looked unbeatable up until their round 7 fixture. The Diggers have some hard runners and will look to run over the top of the youthful Whalers away from home. The final match sees the Breakers play Bega twice in two weeks due to the rescheduled round 5 clash. Last weekend the Breakers got the four points and look for the Breakers to take 8 from 8 against the Bombers who have improved each week.
Player to Watch: Elijah Turner-Collins, the Giant has been impressive in coming up from the under 11’s this season. Prediction: Bermagui, Giants & Merimbula.
Under 11’s
There is a log jam from 3rd through 6th in the under 11’s with 4 sides sitting on 12 points apiece. The Giants and Pambula currently sit outside the top 4 and will be hopeful of edging in this weekend. The Giants have a tough test against the Lions who have been the real improvers in 2017. the Lions will be looking to maintain their position in the top 2 with a home win this weekend. Pambula take on Tathra this weekend and will be confident of getting the better of the winless Sea Eagles. Tathra have been improving as they get experience into their team and at times this season the Panthers have been vulnerable to a dip in performance. Look for the Panthers to sneak into the 4 by weekends end. In Eden the top of the table Diggers take on Eden. The Whalers have just the one win although have played some good football this season and a win this weekend would be a major upset against a classy Merimbula side. In the final match the Bombers take on the Breakers with Bermagui claiming an important win last weekend. Confidence will be on the Breakers side although the Bombers will be looking to get revenge from last weekends loss.
Player to Watch: Jemma Pollock, Pollock is an up and comer in the women’s AFL ranks with some fine performances for the Whalers over the previous 2 seasons. Pollock is one to watch as she progresses through the ranks. Predictions: Bermagui, Narooma, Pambula & Merimbula.
